Judith Chalmers, Wish You Were Here Host, Dies at 90 After Pantless On-Air Revelation

Judith Chalmers began her television career in the 1950s and became a familiar face on British screens for more than six decades. She joined Wish You Were Here at its launch in 1974 and remained the show’s presenter until 2003, guiding viewers through holiday destinations across Europe and beyond. Her warm style and signature suntan made her a trusted voice for travelers seeking advice on where to go and what to pack. Before Wish You Were Here, Chalmers presented BBC programmes such as Woman’s Hour and Come Dancing, and she started as a child actor on BBC Children’s Hour at age thirteen. She married former sports presenter Neil Durden‑Smith and they remained together for nearly six decades; their son Mark Durden‑Smith also works in television.

Over the course of the program she presented more than 500 episodes, a figure that underscores her longevity on the show. In a 2008 interview with Graham Norton she disclosed that, following advice from a wardrobe mistress to avoid visible panty lines, she chose not to wear knickers on air for roughly thirty years. Her family confirmed that she had been living with Alzheimer’s in her final years and died peacefully at home on Thursday.

Chalmers’ death marks the end of an era for a generation that grew up watching her weekly travel guides. The revelation about her on‑air wardrobe choice adds a quirky footnote to her professional persona, showing how she navigated television production standards with humor. Audiences may continue to revisit her episodes on streaming platforms, while broadcasters might consider how her approachable style influences today’s travel presenters. Viewers can watch how broadcasters honor her legacy in upcoming travel programming specials.